Damp Questions
- What method do you use for installing a damp proof course?
- If I have a damp proof course installed does every wall need to be re-plastered?
- You’ve recently installed a damp proof course in my property, as well as replastering. When can I carry out re-decoration?
- Can you give me a price for installing a damp proof course over the phone?
- For how long is your quotation valid?
- Another company has installed a damp proof course in my property and it has failed. Would you be prepared to carry out a survey?
- My property had a damp proof course installed in the past. But there are signs of damp inside at the base of the walls. Can you explain this?
- Will there be any disruption to my property whilst you carry out the damp treatment? Will I have to move or cover any furniture or flooring?
- Do you provide Insurance Backed Guarantees?
- Are you a member of any trade organisations?
What method do you use for installing a damp proof course?
Rentokil use the silicone injection method of damp proofing. Our technicians will determine the correct height for the installation of the damp proof course, taking into account the external and internal ground levels and the internal floor construction. They would then drill into the mortar joints or brickwork to the correct depth of the external wall where possible, inject the silicone fluid, and then re-point the mortar joint with sand and cement, to match your property as closely as possible.
If I have a damp proof course installed does every wall need to be re-plastered?
We would only recommend re-plastering where there are obvious signs that the plaster has deteriorated i.e. if the decorations have been affected by damp or the plaster has become degraded. However, if we re-plaster the walls in conjunction with installing a damp proof course, then the plasterwork would be covered by our 30 year guarantee.
You’ve recently installed a damp proof course in my property, as well as replastering. When can I carry out re-decoration?
We recommend that you do not carry out permanent decoration i.e. wallpapering, for a period of 12 months after damp proofing. However, you can use a water-permeable emulsion paint after all visible signs of damp have disappeared, usually between 4 and 8 weeks.
Can you give me a price for installing a damp proof course over the phone?
Unfortunately, we cannot give a price over the phone, as there are many factors which affect the cost of damp treatments. For instance, the size of the property, the thickness of the external walls which will determine the quantity of damp proofing fluid required, and the need for replastering which may not be as excessive as first thought.
For how long is your quotation valid?
Under normal circumstances the Quotation, which is a fixed price and not an estimate, is open for acceptance for 28 days. However, where arrangements cannot be concluded within this period, for example in the case of a house purchase, we are happy to extend this period.
Another company has installed a damp proof course in my property and it has failed. Would you be prepared to carry out a survey?
If the company is still in business, then you should request that they return to carry out an inspection under the terms of their guarantee. However, if the company is no longer trading we would be pleased to carry out a damp survey at your request.
My property had a damp proof course installed in the past. But there are signs of damp inside at the base of the walls. Can you explain this?
The continuing dampness & damp walls could be caused by a number of problems. For example the damp proof course may have failed, or an incorrect plaster may have been used, which did not include a waterproof additive. Alternatively the damp proof course may have been bridged i.e. by the external rendering being carried down to ground level or internal plastering which bridges the damp proof course or touches a solid floor concrete slab.
Will there be any disruption to my property whilst you carry out the damp treatment? Will I have to move or cover any furniture or flooring?
We will try to minimise any disruption to your property during damp treatment. Where possible, we will insert the damp proof course from the exterior of the property, but this will be dependent on a number of factors i.e. the external ground level, whether the internal ground floor is of solid construction, access to the walls etc. However, if we have to insert the damp-proof course from inside i.e. in the case of internal or party walls, we would require radiators and skirting boards etc. to be removed. We can, of course, arrange this for you. If our technicians are working inside your property, they will ensure that your property is adequately protected by laying polythene and dustsheets on your wooden floors or carpets and in walkways.
Do you provide Insurance Backed Guarantees?
We do not provide Insurance backed guarantees. Rentokil Property Care has outlived our guarantees almost three times over as we have been in business for over 80 years, carrying out timber and damp proofing treatments. Additionally, we have the benefit of being part of the Rentokil group of companies, which would underwrite our guarantees should this ever be necessary.
Are you a member of any trade organisations?
We are founder members of the Property Care Association (formerly the BWPDA). The Property Care Association represents contractors, suppliers, surveyors and consultants specialising in timber and damp proofing in buildings. It promotes standards of workmanship and ethics, to maintain the highest standards in the industry. It also publishes Codes of Practice, guidance notes on training and Standard Specifications to cover all aspects of wood treatment and damp control.